Diagnostics

There’s good news and bad news about fungal nail infections – first the good news: fungal nail infections aren’t dangerous. They won’t kill you, and that’s pretty much the only thing even vaguely positive that can be said about them. Now for the bad news: they can be painful, unsightly, easily caught and – unlike some foot conditions – they won’t go away on their own and need treatment.

Is it really a Fungal Nail Infection?

But did you know that there are a number of conditions that can be mistaken for a Fungal nail infection? Indeed, not every nail that is thick or discoloured or is lifting away from the nail bed is due to a fungal infection. Below is a list of conditions (some common) that can be mistaken for a fungal nail infection.

Psoriasis in nails

Psoriasis

Eczema

Yellow nail Syndrome

Traumatised nail

keratosis follicularis (Darier’s disease)

Lichen planus

Pachyonychia Congenita

Even cancer

and this is not the whole list.

It is, therefore, helpful to know whether the toenail condition is in fact due to an infection or some other cause. At Happy Health Clinics, fungal nail infections aren’t only treated, but can also be scientifically tested. In the past, testing was only possible via your G.P, who would send your toenail samples off to a laboratory for testing. Now, testing can be done on-site at the clinic, so you no longer have to make a special visit to your G.P.